Tree accumulator attachment for a tree harvester

ABSTRACT

A tree harvesting apparatus capable of severing and accumulating a plurality of trees. The tree harvesting apparatus includes a reciprocally operable shear blade which is operable for severing a tree adjacent the base of the tree trunk and is operable for providing a support for the butt end of a plurality of severed trees. The tree harvesting apparatus includes a tree accumulator means supported at a vertically spaced position above the shear blade. The tree accumulator means includes automatically operable tree receiving means which will permit a tree trunk to be advanced therethrough and which is detailed in dimension for engaging and retaining a plurality of tree trunks. The tree accumulator means and tree severing means are movable from a generally vertically oriented tree severing position to a tilted position with the accumulator means being movable to an open position to permit the plurality of accumulated trees to be discharged.

i United States Patent r1 1 Coughran, Jr.

[75] lnventor: Samuel J. Coughran, Jr.,

Cedartown, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Rome Industries, Cedartown, Ga.

[22] Filed: Nov. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 201,370

1 1 Mar. 5, 1974 Primary Examinr Gerald A'. Dost Attorney, Agent, orFirmNewton, Hopkins & Ormsby [57] ABSTRACT A tree harvesting apparatuscapable of severing and accumulating a plurality of trees. The treeharvesting apparatus includes a reciprocally operable shear blade whichis operable for severing a tree adjacent the base of the tree trunk andis operable for providing a support for the butt end of a plurality ofsevered trees. The tree harvesting apparatus includes a tree accumulatormeans supported at a vertically spaced position above the shear blade.The tree accumulator means includes automatically operable treereceiving means which will permit a tree trunk to be advancedtherethrough and which is detailed in dimension for engaging andretaining a plurality of tree trunks. The tree accumulator means andtree severing means are movable from a generally vertically orientedtree severing position to a tilted position with the accumulator meansbeing movable to an open position to permit theplurality'of accumulatedtrees to be discharged.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR 51974 SHEEIIOFZ FIG 4" FIG 2PATENTEDMAR 51974 FIG5 FIG 4 TREE ,ACCUMULATOR ATTACHMENT FOR A TREEHARVESTER A BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a treeharvesting apparatus and more particularly is concerned with a treeharvesting apparatus which is operable for severing a tree adja-. centthe base of the tree trunk and operable for accumulating a plurality ofsevered trees in a generally upright position for transport to a remotelocation for discharge. A

The logging industry requires the use of special crews for performingcertain of the operations, particularly those such as felling, toppingand delimbing, which conventionally are performed at or near theoriginal site of the tree. In addition to the hazards involved in theseoperations and the inherent inefficiency of crew operations, delimbingand topping leave a residue of material which present potential dangersof insects and disease attack, as well as fire hazards.

There have'bee'n numerous: attempts to devise tree harvesting apparatuswhich will automatically perform the tree felling operation, treetopping and delimbing operations and transport of the felled tree to adesired location. However, the prior art tree harvesting apparatus areoften" complex in construction and operation.

While some of the prior art tree harvesting apparatus have attempted'to' simplify the tree harvesting operation, these devices areunsatisfactory in that they do not provide means for removing the treeto a remote location.

Some of our modern day forestry includes trees which are planted inclosely spaced rows infields which were normally used for cultivation.In the harvesting of these trees, the prior art harvesting apparatuswould shear one tree adjacent its base and would then skid the felledvtree to a remote location and would then return for harvesting asecond'tree. The repeated trips of harvesting individualtrees istimeconsuming resulting in an inefficiency of operation of the treeharvestingapparatus. I I v In the use of-closelyplanted rows of trees,it is often desirableto thin certainof. thetrees while leaving stillotherof these trees. A number of tree shear mechanisms have beenprovided for shearing a tree adjacent its tree trunk and then utilizingthe tree shear means for skidding the tree to a remote location.However, these prior art tree shear mechanisms would permit only onetree at a time to be severed and removed to the remote location whichwould again require a number of repeated trips within the area of whicha tree thinning operation is being performed.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art havebeen overcome by the present invention which basically in cludes a framesupport means which includes means for connection to a translatablevehicle means for transport through the forest. The frame support meansincludes a tree severing blade which is reciprocally operable forsevering a tree adjacent the base of the tree trunk. The tree severingblade is detailed in dimensions for supporting the butt ends of aplurality of severed tree trunks. The plurality of severed tree trunksare maintained ina generally vertically oriented position by means of atree accumulator'means which is attached to the frame means andvertically spaced above the tree severing blade.

An important feature of the present invention includes the automatictree receiving means which is operable on the tree accumulator means.The automatic tree receiving means will permit a tree trunk to beadvanced therethrough during forward motion of the tree harvestingapparatus while being operable to retain the tree trunk in a verticallyoriented accumulated position. The tree harvesting apparatus includescontrol means for adjusting the tree accumulator means and the treesevering means to a tilted position for discharging the accumulatedtrees.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a treeharvesting apparatus'having tree severing means which is operable forsevering and supporting a plurality of tree trunks adjacent their buttend and including vertically spaced accumulator means foe engaging andretaining the plurality of severed tree trunks. v

A further object of the present invention is to provide a treeaccumulator means which is automatically oper able for receiving a treetrunk in response to forward motion of the tree harvesting apparatus. I

Another object of the present inventionis to provide a tree harvestingapparatus with accumulator means which is movable to a tilted positionand operable for discharging a plurality of accumulated trees. I

I An additional objectof the present invention is to provide-a treeharvesting apparatus including tree severing means and tree accumulatingmeans which is simple in construction and operation, economical tomanufacture and reliable in performance.

J These and other objects and advantages of the details of constructionwill become apparent upon reading the following description of theillustrative embodiment of a tree harvesting apparatus embodying theprinciplesof the present invention with reference to the attacheddrawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to likeparts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF'THE DRAWINGS FIG.-1 is a perspective view of thetree harvesting apparatus embodying the principlesof the-presentinvention shownin position adjacent a standing tree;

FIG12 is an enlarged plan view of the tree harvesting apparatus treesevering means, with certain parts bro.- ken away and certain partsomitted for purpose of clar its; FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentaryperspective view of the tree harvesting apparatus of FIG. 1 showing thedetails of construction of the tree accumulator means;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the tree accumulator means inoperation during advancement of the tree harvester into engagement witha tree trunk;

FIG. 5 is aschematic' plan view of the tree accumulator means showninFIG. 4 havinga number of'tree' trunks retained therein; and,

. FIG. 6 is aschematic view showing the tree accumulator means moved toa tilted position and open for dis-' charging the accumulated trees.

present invention will be described with reference to a tractor supportvehicle 10, carrier frame means 21, tree shearing means 20 and treeaccumulator means 50.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tractor support vehicle is of conventionalconstruction having a number of hydraulieally operated linkage controlmechanisms 12. The vehicle linkage control mechanisms are operable foreffecting operation of a support'frame-13. The supporting frame 13defines transverse pivot support means (not shown) for attachment to thetree shearing means, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tree shearing means includes a carrierframe 21 which is constructed in the form of a substantially U-shapedframe having a base portion which is pivotally mounted to the vehicleframe means 13 for pivotal movement about the transverse pivot means(not shown). Extending forwardly from the U-shaped frame 21 is a pair ofparallel arranged legs 22, 23. The forward end of legs 22, 23 defines aI second transverse pivot means 24 for pivotally receiving the treeshearing frame assembly 25.

Tree shearing frame assembly 25 includes a shear blade 26 mounted forreciprocating movement from a rearwardly retracted inoperable positionto a forwardly extended cutting position within a notched tree receivingframe element 27. The tree shear frame assembly 25 also includes a pairof arms 28, 29 which are pivotally supported on the tree shear frameassembly 25 for movement about laterally spaced vertical axis (notshown).

.Arms 28, 29 are operable for movement from an open position allowing atree to' be received within the notched cutting area of frame elements27 and movable to a closed position, surrounding the back side of thetree, to provide a backup means for the shear blade 26. Arms 28, 29 areprovided with upwardly projecting tree grasping elements 30, 31,respectively, which are detailed to be selectively engaged with the treetrunk of a fallen tree for use in skidding the tree to a remotelocation.

The tree shearing frame assembly 25 is supported on the tractor vehiclesupport frame 13 for adjustment about the first mentioned horizontalaxis by conventional control means (not shown). The tree shear frameassembly 25 is also supported on the carrier frame 21 and controlled formovement about the second transverse axis 24 by conventional hydraulicactuating means (not shown). Shear blade 26 is supported and operableduring reciprocating movement by hydraulic control cylinder means. Arms28 29 are also provided with hydraulic control means operable from thevehicle 10 for effecting movement of the arms between their operativeand inoperative position. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,411issued Mar. 23, 1971, for a Tree Harvesting Apparatus for the details ofconstruction of the tree shearing blade 26, the backup arm means 28, 29;and, for the details of construction and operation of the vehiclecontrol frame means 12, carrier frame means 21 and tree shearing frameassembly 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tree accumulator means is generally representedby the reference numeral 50 and includes a pair of vertically extendingleg members 51, 52. Leg members 51, 52 are attached to the carrier frame21 by means of a conventional plate and bolt connecting means 53, 54.The upper extended ends of legs 51, 52 are connected to each other by atransverse horizontally extending frame element 55. Frame element 55 isprovided with oppositely extending, vertically spaced pairs of plateelements 57, 58. The plate elements 57 are vertically spaced to define asupport therebetween for a first accumulator arm 59. Accumulator arm 59is pivotally supported between plates 57 by a pivot pin means 60. Plateelements 58 define a pivot support means for a second accumulator arm61. The accumulator arm 61 is pivotally supported between plate elements58 by pivot pin means 62.

Each of the accumulator means 59, 61 includes a forwardly extending endportion which is provided with an automatically operable tree receivingand retaining lug means 63. The tree receiving and retaining lug means63 are pivotally attached to the forward ends of arms 59, 61 byconventional pin connecting means 64. Each of the pivotally mounted lugmeans 63 includes an angle camming surface 65 and a transverselyoriented tree retaining surface 66. The lug means 63 are normally springbiased to an outwardly extending position,

as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, by means of tension spring means 67. Thetension spring means 67 are connected adjacent one of their ends to anaperture formed in lug means 63 and is connected at an opposite end toan upstanding plate member 69 which is fixed to the accumulator arms 59and 61. I

Lugs 63 are stopped in an outwardly extended limit stop or treeretaining position by engagement of backing plate elements 63a, formedon the lugs; with the outer lateral edge portions of the arms'59, 61. Inan as sembled position, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the camming surface 65 ofthe pair of lugs are inwardly converging to define a V-shaped treereceiving slot. The lugs 63 are automatically movable to a pivotallydisplaced tree receiving position, as shown in dotted lines of FIG. 4,by engagement of camming portions 65 with a tree trunk and by forwardlyadvancing the tree accumulator means relative to the tree trunk. Afterthe tree trunk has passed the tree receiving lug means 63, the springtension means 67 will automatically move the tree receiving lug means 63to the outwardly displaced limit position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tree accumulator means 50, including thedimensions of the transverse frame means 55 and accumulator arms 59, 61,are detailed for defining a cavity area capable of receiving andretaining a plurality of tree trunks. v

The tree accumulator arms 59, 61am movable from a closed position asshown in FIGS. 3-5 to an open tree discharging position, as shown inFIG. 6, by means of a hydraulic cylinder 70. The hydraulic cylinder 70includes a base end 71 which is connected by conventional pivot pinmeans 72 to a rearwardly directed end portion of arm 59. Cylinder 71includes a piston rod element 73 which is pivotally connected at itsextended end by pivot pin means 74 to a rearwardly directed end portionof accumulator arm 61. The cylinder 70 is con trolled by conventionalsupply lines (not shown) which will furnish a supply of hydraulic fluidunder pressure from the vehicle 10 for effecting movement of theaccumulator arms 59, 61 from the closed tree retaining position (FIG. 5)to the open discharge position (FIG. 6).

OPERATION In utilizing the above described tree harvesting apparatusembodying the principles of the present invention, the translatablevehicle means is maneuvered into position adjacent a standing tree, asshown in FIG.

l, with the tree shear mechanism supported in a substantially horizontalposition. To begin a tree harvesting operation, the backup arm means 28,29 are moved to an open position, as shown in FIG. 2, to allow astanding tree trunk to enter the notched area formed by the frameelements 27. After a tree has been received within the notched area, thearms 28, 29 are moved to a closed position, as shown inFIG. l, tosurround the tree trunk and provide backup means for the shear blade.During forward motion of the tree harvesting apparatus into position toreceive the tree trunk within the notched area of the frame elements 27,the tree trunk will move into position in engagement with the lug means63. As the tree harvester is advanced forward to receive the tree trunkinto position within a notched area, the tree trunk will contact thecamming surfaces 65 thereby moving thelug means 63 to an adjustedposition to permit the tree trunk tobe received within the cavity areaformed between the accumulator arms 59, 60. v j v A tree severingoperation is performed by effecting movement of the shear blade 26outwardly within the notched area. As the shear blade 26 movesoutwardly, it will shear the tree trunk adjacent the base of the tree.After a tree trunk has been severed by shear blade 26, the shear bladewill remain in an extended position to provide a support for the buttend of the severed tree. The tree harvesting apparatus is then movedinto position with a second tree located adjacent the outside surfacesof the backup arms 28, 29 and in direct alignment with the notched areaformed by frame elements 27. After the second tree has been properlypositioned adjacent the notched area 27, the arms 28, 29 are moved to anopen position and the tree harvesting apparatus is advanced forwardslowly. As the tree harvesting apparatus is advanced forward, the secondtree will enter the notched area formed by frame elements 27 and willshift the butt end of the first severed tree rearwardly on the shearblade 26. As the second standing tree contacts thecutting edge of theshear blade 26, the shear blade will be retracted an amount sufficientto allow the secondstanding tree to enter the notched area whereby thearms 28, 29 can be moved to a position around the tree, as shown inFIG. 1. During the advancement of the second tree within the notchedarea 27, the upper portion of the tree trunk will be automaticallyreceived within the accumulator arm means 59, 61 and will be retainedtherein by the lug members 63. With the second standing tree supportedin position within the notched area adjacent blade 26 and the backuparms in position surrounding the back of the tree, the shear blade 26will again be operated to move forward to shear the second standing treeand will remain in the forward extended position to provide a supportfor the butt end ofthe two'severed trees. The two severed trees will besupported by the shear blade 26 and retained thereon by the accumulatormeans 50. The tree harvesting apparatus will then be moved in positionfor harvesting still a third tree in the same manher as describedhereinabove. After a number of trees have been harvested which can beeffectively supported by the shear blade means 26 and can be retainedwithin the accumulator means 50, the tree harvesting apparatus is thenmaneuvered to a remote location by the translatable vehicle means 10.With the tree harvesting apparatus positioned in an area where it isdesired to discharge the trees; the tree harvesting apparatus is thenadjusted from the substantially upright position as shown in FIG. 1, toa position wherein the tree trunks are substantially horizontallyoriented relative to the ground. The accumulator arm means 59, 61 arethen adjusted to an open discharge position, as shown in FIG. 6, whereinthe accumulated trees will fall there from by gravity. Simultaneouslywith the opening of the accumulator arms 59, 61, the arm members 28, 29of the tree severing means 20 can be moved to an open position to permitthe butt ends of the supported trees to be easily displaced from theshear blade 26. After the first group of accumulated trees aredischarged in a manner described hereinabove, the tree harvestingapparatus is then adjusted to the vertically oriented position andmaneuvered to a position within the forest for severing and accumulatingstill another group of trees.

tlt now becomes apparent thatthe above described tree harvestingapparatus embodying the principles of the present invention is capableof obtaining the above stated objectsand advantages. It is obvious thatthose skilled in the art may make modifications in the details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit of the invention which isto be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Tree harvesting and accumulating means comprising a vehicle, acarrier frame mounted on said vehicle for movement about a horizontalpivot, a tree shearing assembly mounted on said carrier frame formovement about a second horizontal pivot, said tree shearing as semblycomprising a shear blade mounted for reciprocal movement substantiallyin the plane of said second pivot, means for reciprocating said shearblade, a pair of pivoted curved arms mounted on said tree shearingassembly and adapted to be moved from an open position in which they arecapable of receiving a plurality of tree trunks to a closed position inwhich they engage a tree trunk so received and provide backup means forsaid shear blade, tree accumulator means spaced above said shear bladeassembly and supported on said carrier frame, said tree accumulatormeans comprising frame means for defining an open area ofa size toreceive and retain a plurality to tree trunks having their butt endssolely supported on said shear blade, said frame means including meansadapted to 'be engaged and moved apart by a tree trunk to permit thetrunk to enter said open area, said last-mentioned means being biased tomove toward each other after passage of a tree trunk to retain the trunkin said area, and means for moving said last-mentioned means apartsufficiently to permit the discharge of a plurality of tree trunks fromsaid area.

2. Tree harvesting and accumulating means as in claiml wherein said treeaccumulator means is supported above said shearing assembly by a pair ofvertically extending leg members and comprises a pair of arms mountedfor pivotal movement at opposite ends ofa horizontal connecting memberand a hydraulic piston and'cylindcr connected to said arms and adaptedto move them from a closed tree receiving position toan open treereleasing position.

3. Tree harvesting and accumulating means as in claim 2 wherein saidarms are pivoted to said connecting'member intermediate their ends andsaid piston and cylinder are connected to ends of said respective arms.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said carrier frame is adapted to bemoved from a vertical tree accumulating position to a horizontal treedischarging position.

1. Tree harvesting and accumulating means comprising a vehicle, acarrier frame mounted on said vehicle for movement about a horizontalpivot, a tree shearing assembly mounted on said carrier frame formovement about a second horizontal pivot, said tree shearing assemblycomprising a shear blAde mounted for reciprocal movement substantiallyin the plane of said second pivot, means for reciprocating said shearblade, a pair of pivoted curved arms mounted on said tree shearingassembly and adapted to be moved from an open position in which they arecapable of receiving a plurality of tree trunks to a closed position inwhich they engage a tree trunk so received and provide backup means forsaid shear blade, tree accumulator means spaced above said shear bladeassembly and supported on said carrier frame, said tree accumulatormeans comprising frame means for defining an open area of a size toreceive and retain a plurality to tree trunks having their butt endssolely supported on said shear blade, said frame means including meansadapted to be engaged and moved apart by a tree trunk to permit thetrunk to enter said open area, said last-mentioned means being biased tomove toward each other after passage of a tree trunk to retain the trunkin said area, and means for moving said last-mentioned means apartsufficiently to permit the discharge of a plurality of tree trunks fromsaid area.
 2. Tree harvesting and accumulating means as in claim 1wherein said tree accumulator means is supported above said shearingassembly by a pair of vertically extending leg members and comprises apair of arms mounted for pivotal movement at opposite ends of ahorizontal connecting member and a hydraulic piston and cylinderconnected to said arms and adapted to move them from a closed treereceiving position to an open tree releasing position.
 3. Treeharvesting and accumulating means as in claim 2 wherein said arms arepivoted to said connecting member intermediate their ends and saidpiston and cylinder are connected to ends of said respective arms. 4.Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said carrier frame is adapted to bemoved from a vertical tree accumulating position to a horizontal treedischarging position.